Re: AC Condenser leaks - how to repair?



In article
<d7b4cc4a-2581-4fcb-8765-41ef9594fa93@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Bardy <bardiferous@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hi,

I'm a knucklehead DIYer. Last fall I successfully replaced the
radiator on my Toyota T100 pickup.

Now I'm trying to replace the AC condenser. After several years of
slow leaks & seaonal R134a refills, I began to notice shiny, neon
green around some of the condenser coils.

Assuming that tracer dye has been added...

It's been quite a while since the last charge. I'm guessing there
isn't much refrigerant left.

Push on one of the service valves with a pocket screwdriver.

Question(s): Can I unbolt the old condenser and pop on the new one?

Probably.

Do I need new seals/gaskets?

Absolutely.

Do I need to somehow prime the new
condenser?

"Prime?" No. Do remove the shipping caps from the fittings though.

Is there any chance there would be any refrigerant left?

Why would it matter?

Do I need to add oil into the system?

Yes, the condenser (and all other components) has an oil capacity
specification.
Use the correct oil type and viscosity.

Do I need other parts, or
tools?

Replace the receiver/drier.

I assume I'm in over my head, that's nothing new. But can I come out
the other side with all ten digits attached and possibly a working,
chilly AC? Summer's coming....

Cap off any open fittings while you work.

Best would be to flush the entire system and add back the correct amount
of oil to each component as specified by Toyota.
Too much oil = poor cooling, too little oil = seized compressor.
Pull a deep vacuum to 500-700 microns, shut off vacuum pump and isolate
and watch for a vacuum rise.

Oh, yeah. I bought a Silla condenser, new, that's supposed to be a
direct fit replacement, with a lifetime warranty.

Never heard of the brand. Hope it's not cheap Chinese knock off crap.
.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Synthetic for old Celica?
    ... I use Castrol Syntec 5W-30 and Toyota OEM oil filters in our '97 ... OEM parts because I know their quality, and the local Toyota dealer is ...
    (alt.autos.toyota)
  • Ben Franklin, Americas First Physicist
    ... This is the basic physics discovery of Ben Franklin’s oil calming the ... the pre-inflationary unstable globally flat false vacuum in the ... one without emergent gravity that only comes after the formation of the ... vacuum condensate whose phase variations give Einstein’s metric field. ...
    (sci.math)
  • Ben Franklin, Americas First Physicist
    ... This is the basic physics discovery of Ben Franklin’s oil calming the ... the pre-inflationary unstable globally flat false vacuum in the ... one without emergent gravity that only comes after the formation of the ... vacuum condensate whose phase variations give Einstein’s metric field. ...
    (sci.physics)
  • Ben Franklin, Americas First Physicist
    ... This is the basic physics discovery of Ben Franklin’s oil calming the ... the pre-inflationary unstable globally flat false vacuum in the ... one without emergent gravity that only comes after the formation of the ... vacuum condensate whose phase variations give Einstein’s metric field. ...
    (sci.astro)
  • Re: Synthetic for old Celica?
    ... I use Castrol Syntec 5W-30 and Toyota OEM oil filters in our '97 ... I pretty much use only OEM ... Die-Hard batteries from Sears or Interstate from the local Toyota dealer, ...
    (alt.autos.toyota)